View From the Legislature

Last week our government announced the launch of a new commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) education including the names of the nine commissioners who will lead this important work. The commission will be led by co-chairs Dr. Janice MacKinnon, a former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister, and Clayton Manness, a former Manitoba minister of education and finance. My colleague Ian Wishart MLA for Portage la Prairie along with Jill Quilty, Terry Brown, Mark Frison, J.D. Lees, Laura Repski and Denis Robert make up the remaining members of the commission.

Manitoba’s education system is full of dedicated individuals working everyday to educate young people. We are fortunate to have outstanding professionals at every level of the education system. However, we also know that we can do better. Despite spending more per student than almost every other province in Canada, our students rank near the bottom in national outcomes in math, science and literacy. Clearly we can do better. The review of Manitoba’s K-12 education system is an opportunity to build on strengths and identify challenges to create a better education system with high standards for educators, high expectations for student achievement, relevant curriculum, governance excellence and a sustainable fiscal framework.

Manitoba’s public school system has not undergone such an extensive review in decades. And yet, our world and the world we hope to prepare our children for has changed greatly during that time. Our government wants to ensure that Manitoba students are well prepared to succeed after they leave the K-12 system. I have no doubt that is the goal of everyone who works in the education system. This review will consider the type of outcomes students need to develop throughout their early learning and K-12 education while also considering the preparation needed for post-secondary education and the labour market as part of an integrated lifelong learning approach.

The review, while launched by the government, relies on input from all Manitobans who have an interest in the education system. The success of the review relies upon Manitobans taking the time to share their views. There will be extensive consultation to seek input from students, parents, educators, school boards, academics, Indigenous organizations, la francophonie, municipal councils, professional organizations, the business community and all Manitobans. The commission is seeking comments on a wide range of topics in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system, including student learning, teaching, accountability for student learning and governance.

I encourage everyone to participate in the commissions public engagement whether through written submissions, the online survey or in public consultations at in-person meetings. More information can be found at edu.gov.mb.ca.